The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mubarak, today, Tuesday, November 4, addressed the public on the progress made so far regarding the violent incidents recorded during the 2020 and 2024 elections.

He outlined the measures taken by the government and provided updates on ongoing interventions to support victims, as well as measures adopted to deal with the perpetrators of the violence.

The 2020 and 2024 general elections were marred by shootings and clashes between political party supporters and security forces, leading to multiple fatalities and injuries.

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2020 and 2024 polls reportedly claimed the lives of eight and three, respectively.

In response, President Mahama tasked the IGP earlier this year, to follow up on these events for accountability and transparency.

Justice is expected to be served on perpetrators whose activities resulted in chaos during this period.

Electoral violence in Ghana has since been a challenge to the country. On Friday, July, the Electoral Commission (EC) held an election in 19 polling stations of the Ablekuma North to provide its constituents with a representative after the 2024 parliamentary elections.

However, the election, which was intended to be peaceful, turned chaotic a few hours in.

In a viral video, it is unknown what exactly transpired between the reporter and a group of police officers that led to him being slapped.

In line with internal disciplinary procedures, he was interdicted and referred to the Police Professional Standards Bureau (PPSB) for investigation.

The Police officer's action has been condemned by all, including the mayor of Accra, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, who witnessed the unfortunate incident.

Engaging the media after the assault, Banahene Agyekum expressed distress and pain.

“Yes, (I won’t be able to continue work today) because my right eye is shaking and I don’t know what happened to my forehead. I have to go for a medical checkup,” he stated.

In line with internal disciplinary procedures, he was interdicted and referred to the Police Professional Standards Bureau (PPSB) for investigation.

The officer concerned has been withdrawn from the ongoing election duty at Ablekuma North.

The Police have assured the public that a thorough investigation will be conducted into the matter and further updates will be communicated.

It is unknown what exactly transpired between the reporter and a group of police officers that led to him being slapped.

The Police officer's action has been condemned by all, including the mayor of Accra, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, who witnessed the unfortunate incident.

Engaging the media after the assault, Banahene Agyekum expressed distress and pain.

“Yes, (I won’t be able to continue work today) because my right eye is shaking and I don’t know what happened to my forehead. I have to go for a medical checkup,” he stated.

After the 2024 polls, Ablekuma North remained the only constituency in Ghana without a sitting MP, due to unresolved disagreements over the outcome of the parliamentary vote.

On December 10, 2024, three days after the national polls, the EC declared Ewurabena Aubynn of the NDC the winner of the Ablekuma North parliamentary seat, defeating the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Nana Akua Owusu Afriyieh.

However, the EC later revoked the announcement, revealing that results from 62 of the 281 polling stations had not been included in the initial collation.

Efforts to restart the collation in January 2025 were disrupted by multiple challenges.

These included interruptions due to the submission of unverified pink sheets and a violent intrusion at the collation centre that heightened security concerns.

The Electoral Commission (EC), after extensive deliberations, in July noted that it will hold the rerun election because the 19 scanned polling station results used for the collation, though approved by agents of both political parties, were not verified by the presiding officers responsible for those polling stations.

The EC arrived at this decision after it met with the representatives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Tuesday, July 1.

Ahead of today's election, the EC called on the Ghana Police Service to provide the needed security to ensure a safe environment for the conduct of the election.

Meanwhile, the Minister for the Interior, Mubarak Muntaka, has vowed to go after individuals who contributed to chaos during the Parliamentary rerun in the Ablekuma North constituency.

According to him, justice will be served regardless of the perpetrators' political affiliation. He pledged while addressing the media on Monday, July 14, as part of the 'Government Accountability Series' programme.

“I can assure you that not my party, not any group, will we sit and allow to see the resurgence of vigilantism. I have spoken to the IGP firmly about the happenings in the Ablekuma North. Videos have been forwarded to him, and we have instructed him to act swiftly to bring the perpetrators to book.

“We’re not going to condone any actions by individuals within or outside our party going around to do the untoward. I can assure the public that we will ensure that under the leadership of H.E. John Dramani Mahama, no such group will be allowed to form,” he assured.

He urged security personnel who will be deployed to oversee the upcoming by-election in Akwatia constituency, Eastern Region, to remain alert while executing their duties.

The Minister for the Interior advised that they reflect on the recent violence that occurred during the parliamentary election rerun in the Ablekuma North constituency and work proactively to prevent a recurrence.

According to him, the government will work to ensure that such dramatic events do not repeat themselves in future elections.

“This is also a wake-up call for our security agencies to know that probably what happened [in Ablekuma North]…gives our security agencies the opportunity to even plan better towards Akwatia.

“All I can assure the people of Akwatia is that we will use Ablekuma North as a case study to review how we operate in Akwatia—to make sure that the citizens are free to cast their votes and express their will without fear or favour,” Muntaka added.